Adams County deputy assaulted inside gas station

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. -- An Adams County deputy is recovering after being assaulted and punched by a suspect inside a gas station.

“I was in shock. I think I’m still in shock,” Stinker employee Francesca Martinez said.

It started as a routine Tuesday morning for Martinez. She works the cash register at the Stinker gas station off 72nd Ave and Highway 2 in Commerce City.

But just before 9 a.m., chaos unfolded.

“The guy ran in and was saying that the cops were after him,” Martinez said.

A deputy spotted a suspect with outstanding warrants who ran from authorities last week and chased after him into the convenience store.

Witnesses heard the deputy give verbal commands for the man to stop. But he didn’t listen and instead got aggressive.

“The guy was trying to throw the candy rack at the deputy. He was yelling, 'You want to fight? Let’s fight.' That’s when the officer reached around and tased him. It still didn’t take him down,” Martinez said.

Martinez then saw the suspect punch the deputy in the face. He tried to radio for help.

“His walkie talkie literally flew across the floor so there was no way of him calling for backup,” Martinez said.

That’s when Martinez got on the phone to alert authorities that the deputy was in danger.